It's like a disco in my lounge, is my wiring faulty?

MrQwest

Hello there!

My Fiancee & I live in a rented flat, and for the past couple of years, we've had problems with the lighting in the lounge.

Basically, there's 1 switch which controls 2 sets of spot lights. Each set of spot lights has 3 bulbs pointing to different areas (you get the idea).

Now for past couple of years, these spot lights have been flickering on and off. They'd be alright for a week, and then all of a sudden, they'll either start flickering like a shiny disco ball, or swtich off all together. Usually a tap or nudge with the finger gets it going again, but i'm tired of burning my fingers as these bulbs get real hot!

Last time i had a sparky round the flat to fix teh boiler, i mentioned the lights and he said "yeah, i can change them for you, but your best bet is to coat the ends of the bulbs with lip balm, or some form of petroleum jelly - this will boost the connection".... hmmm, forgive me but that sounds dangerous!

I've changed the bulbs, and that hasn't helped. They are original fittings, and i believe they were put in when the flat was built. To the rear of each spot light, is a hard plastic casing, which in some cases looks burnt, flaky & damaged, as if the bulbs have got so hot, it's cracked the plastic!

Anywho, yes, this is a rented flat and this would fall under the landlords duty, but it's too much hassle to get hold of the landlord, then organise a sparky, and then take the trouble of taking time off work for when (and IF) the electrician comes round etc!

So first off, waht's the problem? and b) is it an easy fix? If it's easy, i'll do it myself, otherwise, i'll get a sparky round and bill the landlord.

LASTLY, what's the standing on this sort of problem with this new law and the "buyers pack". Do i need to get a qualified electrician, or can i speak to my dad and get him to help!?

Thanks peeps

maninthestreet

I can't see how petroleum jelly will improve an electrical connection. It sounds like you may have loose connections to these lights - that may result in arcing, which could cause burning of the adjacent plastic casing. If you (or your dad) know what you are doing, you can switch the supply off to the lighting circuit at your fuse box, and then remove the light fittings from the wall/ceiling to check the connections. You may aslo want to check the connections at the light switch itself.

MrQwest

Im pretty sure the light switch is fine!

Yeah, my dad know's what he's doing. He's one of those old skool 60+ gents who know tons about everything. Fixes all sorts of stuff. Rewires house, then takes engines out of cars before heading to the kitchen to fix the fridge LOL!...

Give him a remote to control the TV though, and it's a whole different story


Would there be any comeback?? Somebody told me that it was against the law to get electrics and stuff done yourself?

maninthestreet

MrQwest wrote: »

Im pretty sure the light switch is fine!

Yeah, my dad know's what he's doing. He's one of those old skool 60+ gents who know tons about everything. Fixes all sorts of stuff. Rewires house, then takes engines out of cars before heading to the kitchen to fix the fridge LOL!...

Give him a remote to control the TV though, and it's a whole different story


Would there be any comeback?? Somebody told me that it was against the law to get electrics and stuff done yourself?

Only certain electrical work has to be performed by a suitably qualified person; simply removing and replacing a light fitting can be legally carried out by someone who isn't qualified.

Canucklehead

MrQwest wrote: »

Im pretty sure the light switch is fine!

Yeah, my dad know's what he's doing. He's one of those old skool 60+ gents who know tons about everything. Fixes all sorts of stuff. Rewires house, then takes engines out of cars before heading to the kitchen to fix the fridge LOL!...

Give him a remote to control the TV though, and it's a whole different story


Would there be any comeback?? Somebody told me that it was against the law to get electrics and stuff done yourself?

Good afternoon: Your Dad sounds like someone I know! Part P (Building Regulations- England and Wales) deals with electrical requirements and you can find lots of info at http://www.partp.co.uk/consumer/consumer_faq.asp

HTH

Canucklehead

silvercar

Our last house had 80mm wide screw-fit spot lights that kept blowing. Someone suggested rubbing vaseline on the connector whenever you change the light bulb and it did help.

baldelectrician

maninthestreet wrote: »

Only certain electrical work has to be performed by a suitably qualified person; simply removing and replacing a light fitting can be legally carried out by someone who isn't qualified.

You need not be qualified you MUST be competent.

It's similar but not the same.

the last person to do work on the circuit is responsible.

Best scenario- your dad does a bit of DIY , all is Ok no problems in future.

Slightly worse scenario, your dad does a bit of DIY, problem with wiring - your dad's DIY gets the blame and you get a bill for problem that has to be fixed.

Very worst case. your dad does a bit of DIY, person gets a shock (as there was no earth on the earth wire) your dad gets sued or worse.
I konw the last item is very improbable, but I have had electricity company out to 3 houses with bad earths and got them to dig up the road to fix a cable fault.

On the issue in hand.
The lamp holders may be burnt and dangerous - if they are get them changed.
Not tightening them properly (if they are the screw in type) can cause these problems.

ormus

strongly suggest that you change all the old fittings/holders.
these cheapo ones from china are of very dubious quality. ive had loads of trouble with ES (edison screw) screw fittings in the last 10 yrs.
similar results to yours. looked like the 4th of july sometimes!

ianeverton

This is a common problem with edison screw lamps and fittings.

At some point the lamps wont have been screwed in tight enough, this causes arcing (sparks) which will cause carbon to build up on the lamp base and the contact onto the lamp and as a side effect heat which has damaged the plastic lampholders.

Replacing lamps wont help as the light contact will still be carboned up.

With the power turned off you could clean the contact with emery cloth get new lamps and make sure they are screwed in tight and try again. Hopefully the contacts are not too badly damaged.

With regards to fitting new light fittings yourself there is no need to notify the local authority of this work so isnt a consideration for a HIPP